Q: What do you think about the membrane separation of gas? A: This technology is of great help and it is specifically demanded by our oil, gas and petrochemical industries. This technology is meant for recovering hydrogen and hydrocarbons, sweetening sour gases, producing nitrogen, dehydration and separation of helium. Q: Can you tell us of the activities of the Oil Industry Research Center on this technology? A: We are determined to nationalize this technology. To this end, we are involved in joint cooperation with German and Austrian companies. We have recruited consultants from Russia, Canada and Austria, and we have equipped our laboratories for more work. We hope that we can reach our goals in the shortest possible time. Q: Why have you employed consultants? A: An aware consultant can protect the industry from becoming a guinea pig. He can also avoid a duplication of many jobs, leading to economization of costs. Q: What have you done to that effect? A: We have utilized nanotechnology in making new membranes for separating hydrogen, treating oil industry wastes and using the membrane technology for gas separation in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors. Q: What is you major goal? A: Our major goal is to nationalize this technology to separate gases with membrane. Q: What strategy have you adopted? A: We are following up the aforementioned goal, but we have to be careful not to repeat the experience of catalyst fabrication in the country. Q: Which bodies lead these research projects? A: National Iranian Oil Company, National Iranian Oil Distribution and Refining Company, National Iranian Gas Company and National Petrochemical Company. Q: Who are the executors of the projects? A: Universities and research institutes. Q: How do you finance your projects? A: Refineries, industrial complexes, the Ministry of Petroleums subsidiaries and R & D centers fund the projects. Q: What is the difference in research between Iran and other countries? A: Relying on world technologies, we have to consolidate domestic research and minimize our dependence on foreign resources. Q: Why do you think some domestic industries prefer foreigners to domestic researchers? A: Our industries are not well familiar with new technologies and they may have financial shortages. We need to set up a body for coordinating membrane research. Such body would have to allocate budget to research on the issue. Q: What do you think about the current status of membrane research in the country? A: There is no specific body to make planning and define priorities in research. The result of our sporadic research projects is not appropriate. Industry is fond of this technology while lack of cohesion poses threat to domestic membrane research.